Ja Morant snapped out of his two-game funk in Game 5 to put Memphis Grizzlies on the brink of moving to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since 2015. Morant, who had scored 27 points in Game 3 and 4 combined, scored 30 points and scored the game-winning layup with less than a second remaining to lift Memphis to a two-point win. Morant’s shot shows how devastating it can be to bet on NBA, as the Timberwolves had just tied the game on an Anthony Edwards 3-pointer moments earlier.
Sports betting guides show this game won’t be an easy closeout for Memphis. The Grizzlies will be facing a Minnesota team eager to not see its season end on its home court. There are reports the Minnesota Timberwolves held a players-only meeting following the last game in the series and are eager to prove they can win the next two games to spring the upset. Let’s take a look to the Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Analysis.
Last Games Records
Memphis beat Minnesota 111-109 in Game 5 on April 26 at home. The Grizzlies lead the series 3-2.
Matchup Information
Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Analysis
Memphis Betting Analysis
NBA betting stats show the Grizzlies were unsteady in Game 5 at home. Memphis won despite shooting 66.7 percent (26-of-39) from the free-throw line and 25 percent (7-of-28) from the perimeter. Where the Grizzlies made up the difference was with their work inside.
Memphis held a 53-42 edge in rebounding, including an 18-6 advantage on the offensive end. The Grizzlies also outscored the Timberwolves 62-38 in the paint. Memphis was also effective at getting to the free-throw line, earning 39 trips, which was 15 more than Minnesota earned.
In addition to another Morant’s bounce-back game, Memphis got 25 points from Desmond Bane and a double-double from Brandon Clarke, who finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Morant also had 13 rebounds and handed out nine assists to finish one helper short of a triple-double.
Minnesota Betting Analysis
If only Minnesota could have kept its hands to itself. The Timberwolves were whistled for 29 fouls, 10 more than Memphis, during the Game 5 loss. Minnesota was also forced into 22 turnovers, giving the Grizzlies more opportunities to rally from an 11-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to win the game.
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns had a strong performance, turning in a double-double by scoring 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Anthony Edwards, who said after the game he didn’t move the ball enough, finished with 22 points.
Minnesota lost Game 5 despite shooting at a higher percentage than Memphis. The Timberwolves shot 42.4 percent from the 3-point line and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line. From the field, Minnesota shot 44.6 percent.
Updates
Minnesota doesn’t have any injuries of note. Memphis center Steven Adamas won’t play in Game 6 as he is in health-and-safety protocols. Shooting guard Ziaire Williams is doubtful with a knee injury.
- Minnesota is 46-40-1 against the spread.
- Memphis is 54-32-1 against the spread.
- The over is 52-36 in the Grizzlies’ games this season.
- The over is 52-36 in the Timberwolves’ games this season.
- Memphis is 35-22-1 against the spread following a win.
- Minnesota is 23-15 against the spread following a loss.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Preview
NBA betting odds have Memphis as a 1-point favorite. The Grizzlies are -113 on the moneyline, while the Timberwolves are -106. For anyone looking to make a different kind of NBA picks, the over/under is set at 229.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Prediction
This is the kind of series that deserves a seventh game. By far the most compelling of the first-round matchups, the seventh-seeded Timberwolves have shown they belong among the top teams in the Western Conference. Being able to force a Game 7 would show a great amount of maturity for Minnesota.
Memphis is an upset risk because the Grizzlies aren’t efficient on offense. Even at home, Memphis can fall into inefficient play that puts them in bad positions. Finding a way to navigate through the rough stretches will be important. The Grizzlies will likely find it difficult to get to the free-throw line 39 times on the road as it did at home in Game 5.
Playing in front of a raucous crowd will help spur Minnesota on and allow the Timberwolves to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Bet Minnesota +1.
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